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Chapter 5
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The attic was coming along nicely, Mitchie observed her Dad fix it up the next morning. He'd managed to lay down the jig-saw like wooden floor, he had to open his store in an hour so he had given Mitchie the job of painting the walls which he'd sanded down and made as flat as possible.
"Be careful of the beams though love," He muttered straining to fit the last wooden panel on the floor.
Mitchie nodded fidgeting by the door, "I will Dad," she replied.
"Mitchie were you on the phone last night?" He Steve looked up at his daughter critically, he hadn't apprieciated being woken up by her laughter in the early morning.
Mitchie blushed, "um why?" She asked looking down at the floor.
"I heard you giggling..." Steve raised his eyebrows before standing up and brushing the dust off of his overalls. Mitchie chewed her lip, "I'm sorry Dad, i was... I was on the phone to-"
"Caitlyn? Yeah I guessed, but seriously Mitchie if you do that again I will ground you."
Mitchie nodded trying to look apologetic even though a smile crept across her face when she thought about last night. Having Shane sleep beside her was such a weird feeling, to have a boy in her room full stop was forbidden, so it was exciting and she felt secure and safe. Of course the same couldn't be said about her heart which had beat overtime when Shane had rolled over in his sleep, his arm pulling her closer to him.
"Mitchie?" Steve laughed waving his hand in her face as she stood by the doorway. "Huh? Oh sorry."
Steve leaned over and kissed his daughters forehead, "I've got work, I'll see you later. Try not to make a mess with the paint."
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"What are you thinking Shane?"
"Nothing, Mitch," Shane shrugged, "why?"
Mitchie repressed a giggle, "oh I don't know, maybe because you've been painting the same area for about 10 minutes."
"Oh." Shane looked back at the spot he'd been painting and bit his lip. Catching Mitchie watching him, he sighed and put his brush into the tin.
"Okay you want to know?"
"Sure, give me an insight into the fascinating mind of a pop star...HEY!" Mitchie shrieked as paint suddenly splattered her face. Only small droplets but enough to make her look like she was crying white tears.
"It's Rockstar!" He smirked then sat down against the only dry wall. Before Mitchie could retaliate Shane began his story.
He slumped down, one leg outstretched and one leg bent up with his elbow resting on it. He looked up at Mitchie who was holding her brush back and smiled, before patting the space next to him.
Once she'd sat down he sighed once again, "I've been thinking about my parents, if I saw them I'd be able to access my money, from Connect 3-"
"Shane that's great! You'd be able to afford a lawyer or something, to get out of this devil pact!" Mitchie gushed excitedly but Shane chuckled and shook his head.
"Yeah well the thing is... I have no idea where my parents are."
Mitchie remained silent for a few minutes, shocked to say the least and a little confused. "How can you not know-"
"I lost contact when I joined the label, straight away they moved us into a house, two states away. My parents didn't like it. I guess they were trying to protect me, but at the time I just thought they were jealous and holding me back. I probably should've mentioned that when I said 'I signed the contract' I meant my parents..."
Mitchie frowned, "so if they didn't want you to go, why did they sign the contract?"
"You know how I was Mitchie-" A guilty look spread across Shane's face, "I practically forced them too, I stopped eating, started going out. I just tried to scare them into signing it, and they did. Then after I moved they barely spoke to me on the occasions they did pick up the phone, and 7 months later I call again and some guy answers the phone. My parents had moved."
Shane's voice had grown extremely soft, and Mitchie could hear the lump stuck in his throat and his breathing was coming in quicker. She reached down and clutched his hand gently, flinching as he tensed. Had she made the wrong move?
Finally Shane relaxed before smiling down at her, "I tried to find out where they went-" He continued after a while, "but I just kept getting empty leads. I got more and more frustrated, I realized my parents were right - the label didn't care about what I wanted, they were just exploiting me and the guys. That's when I tried to get out of it, I have to find them, Mitchie. I need to say sorry."
Mitchie smiled up at him, leaning her head against his shoulder. "You've really changed Shane." Shane shifted to get more comfortable and looked down at her, "for the better?" He asked uncertainly.
"For the better. No longer the old jerky popstar- No!" She cried out again as he splashed her, though this time with not much paint on his brush nothing much hit her, so doing the only Shane Gray thing to do; he wiped his brush down her face.
He was laughing loudly, "Mitchie, Mitchie, Mitchie," He tutted, "you will learn it's Rock-"
Mitchie giggled loudly as Shane got a load of paint in his open mouth, it splashed up his face and on his hair, matting it together.
"Oops?" She scrambled to her feet as he quickly grabbed the bucket, "this is SO war!"
Mitchie the rest of the morning shrieking as hid behind the beams, avoiding the huge splashes that Shane was throwing her way. She peered down at her shoes and rolled her eyes, hoping her shoes were washer proof, just as she was about to look back up she screamed as she felt freezing paint run down her neck.
Turning she glared at Shane who was grinning cheekily, the bucket of paint dangling from his hand, now empty as the contents were down her neck.
"Why-" she spluttered then gasped inaudibly as he leaned down dangerously close to her face, "I told you it was war," he winked his hands running up her arms that were covered in paint.
She chewed on her lip as the skin tingled under his touch, he suddenly started chuckling loudly, grinning down into her face. "What?" She asked touching her face to make sure she hadn't sprouted an extra head or some kind of huge zit.
"You have paint...," He grinned, "on your cheeks," reaching up with his hands and wiping it off her cheeks with his thumbs.
"On your nose," He smiled using his forefinger to wipe it off gently, causing her to laugh. Is he leaning closer to me?! She thought trying to concentrate on her erratic breathing.
"And on your lips..." Yep, he was definitely leaning closer now. His nose just passed hers, his eyes locked with Mitchie's the entire time. She closed her eyes and leaned up but a sudden noise made them both freeze.
"Shane?!"
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"Let. Me. GO!"
Mitchie winced from downstairs as she heard Caitlyn screech from upstairs. After Caitlyn's initial shock of finding Shane nearly embracing Mitchie, covered in blue paint in the attic, she'd screamed grabbing her phone out of her pocket and made her way down the stairs. Threatening to call Nate.
Shane reacted quicker than Mitchie, sprinting after Caitlyn and tackling the phone off of her before Nate had a chance to pick up. Mitchie soon followed her heart nearly exploding, she soon found Shane clutching the side of his face and Caitlyn still screaming her head off; "You broke my phone you idiot!"
"I'll pay for a new-" Shane sighed rubbing his sore cheek. Mitchie left the two to get a towel which was drying in the utility room, so she could clean herself up and Shane before paint was all over the house.
When Mitchie had got back to her room breathlessly she gasped, "Shane!" She scolded rolling her eyes.
Caitlyn was now tied to Mitchie's desk chair with her robe tie, struggling like and spitting insults out to Shane every second. "Caitlyn," Mitchie whispered trying to calm her down. She couldn't believe they'd been discovered.
Not now. She begged, Not when we were so close... She again pictured his lips closing in on hers and sighed.
"Mitchie! Mitchie, you swore you would never lie to me again! I can't believe you! You two are going to be in SO much trouble. God I thought you'd grown up! Both of you!"
Shane watched as tears began to swim in Mitchie's eyes and felt a sudden need to protect her. "It was my fault Caitlyn, I made her promise not to tell."
"Shut it, Shane. I'll talk to you in a minute." Even though Caitlyn was practically defenseless being tied up, she was still the one in charge in the room.
Shane stepped behind Mitchie and grasped her hand. "You don't understand Caitlyn, Shane is trying to escape the-"
"The horrible label that won't let him play one little song." Caitlyn cut in, and Mitchie felt Shane's grip tighten. He was getting more angry by the minute.
Mitchie sighed shaking her head, "see you don't understand. You're too stubborn to listen." Mitchie accused before reaching around Caitlyn's back and untying her. Once free Caitlyn stood up and brushed herself off.
"I'm going to have to tell Nate," Caitlyn snapped but seeing the two of their faces she felt a twinge of guilt. She knew how much Mitchie liked the older boy and was not the least shocked to walk in on them nearly kissing, so she sighed and relented.
"First though, tell me."
"T-tell you what?" Mitchie stuttered, nervous that everyone was about to find out.
Caitlyn scoffed, "tell me why you're hiding Gray over here in your attic." Mitchie chewed her lip and sat down on her bed, suddenly exhausted. She was being given a chance, one chance only. She couldn't blow it.
"Let me explain," Shane offered, "please?"
Caitlyn nodded curtly sitting down on the desk chair again. "Begin."
Shane felt somewhat like a child in school, being told by his strict teacher to begin a presentation he'd only thought of about 5 minutes ago.
"Um... okay then? Uh..."
"Great start Shane," Caitlyn rolled her eyes, "let him talk!" Mitchie spat surprising both Shane and Caitlyn. Shane smiled and took a seat beside Mitchie.
The three of them sat in Mitchie's room all afternoon, Mitchie smiled at Caitlyn who actually seemed to be taking in everything Shane was saying, and believing him. Mitchie suddenly heard a catch in Shane's voice and looked up at him. He was on the verge of tears. She didn't know if it was seeing him nearly cry, or because she felt so strong for him, her own eyes started welling too.
"Please Cait," She begged quietly once Shane had stopped talking. "Please don't tell anybody." She was openly crying now and felt Shane's arm go around her shoulders, rubbing her arm gently.
Caitlyn frowned, "you guys can't keep this up, you know that?" Caitlyn was in awe of Shane after all he'd told her, he was so troubled but she'd never took the time to find out exactly why he was troubled. Nate had hinted there was more to Shane's behavior that what was said but she'd just linked him too Tess and dismissed him.
"I need to find my parents. That's when I'll leave." Shane said strongly, though it shocked Mitchie. She didn't think his talk about his parents earlier, meant he'd actually find them and leave her. Sensing her conflict Shane tightened his grip around her.
"That could take a while," Caitlyn raised her eyebrows, she didn't mean to pick holes in this charade but they needed to think about this rationally.
"I know, but please Caitlyn. I need Mitchie right now." Mitchie's eyes snapped up to his face and gasped when she saw a tear roll down his cheek. She never knew she meant so much to him.
Mitchie leaned closer, "I need you right now," she whispered back, watching as he slowly turned his head towards hers. He smiled down at her gently and she returned it, blinking back her own tears.
"Urgh it's like separating Ross and Rachel." Caitlyn rolled her eyes and stood up.
The other two quickly followed her lead and stood up nervously. "So?" Mitchie pressed, her hand clutching tightly to Shane's.
"So, you better find your parents cos, I can't lie to Nate for long." As she got out the sentence Shane cried out in joy and grabbed Caitlyn pulling her forcibly into a fierce hug.
"Thank you Cait! I could kiss you!" Shane grinned swaying her from side to side. Mitchie giggled brushing away her tears, a feeling of huge relief washed over her.
Caitlyn pulled back blushing slightly, "well I wouldn't, I think someone would get a little jealous." Caitlyn winked.
An awkward silence followed her sentence as Mitchie avoided Shane's eyes. "Thank you Caitlyn, and I'm sorry for lying," she whispered hugging Caitlyn to her. "It's okay, I understand. But please, no more secrets now please?"
Mitchie agreed, "No more secrets."
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After the all the drama Caitlyn ended up staying for dinner. They went downstairs to collect the food her Mom had prepared, whilst Shane remained upstairs lying on Mitchie's bed trying to rest.
"Thank you Mom," Mitchie smiled kissing her mothers cheek but before she could follow Caitlyn back up to her room, Connie pulled her aside.
"Honey, you're going to be punished."
For a split second Mitchie panicked that she'd been found out twice in a day. She couldn't bare it if her Mom found out.
"For what?" She asked timidly, biting her lip painfully.
Connie tutted, shaking her head. "Mitchie! You got paint everywhere! I'm sure your father said paint the walls, not the floor, the windows and you!"
Mitchie looked down at her paint splattered clothes and sighed, "Sorry Mom, I'll clean it up tomorrow."
"Yes you will! You're grounded. No friends over for a week!"
Mitchie nodded, though the disappointment wasn't as great when she knew she'd be seeing her friend everyday, noon and night. As Mitchie was excused she stepped upstairs quietly and could hear Caitlyn and Shane murmuring quietly. Listening in she leant her head nearer to the door.
"So why Mitchie?"
"What do you mean?" She heard Shane ask tiredly. He was trying to sleep by the sounds of it.
"Why did you go to Mitchie?" Caitlyn repeated.
Mitchie heard Shane sigh and leaned closer. "Cos, she's Mitchie. She's the girl that drove me insane all summer with her voice. She's the one I trust, with everything."
Mitchie smiled that same coat-hanger smile that she wore when Shane had first sung to her.
Stepping is she pretended to hear nothing. "Hey what's going on?"
"Sleeping." Shane said bluntly rolling on his side he faced the wall. "Okay," Mitchie laughed sitting down on the small chair opposite the one Caitlyn was sat on.
"So I'm grounded." Mitchie groaned then frowned at Caitlyn who laughed, "hardly a chore is it," she motioned to Shane who was now breathing shallowly, obviously drifting off to sleep.
Mitchie smiled and shook her head silently, Caitlyn giggled and rolled her eyes. "I can't believe you've managed to keep him here. It's been like a week, you gots skills."
"Yeah well I still feel bad." Mitchie sighed, "but is it worth it?"
Caitlyn cocked an eyebrow knowing what Mitchie's response would be. "Yes, i guess it is."
Shane who had been dozing heard her words and felt his heart flip. He thought back to earlier and wished Caitlyn hadn't interrupted. Why then?! He asked, God's sick joke. He'd finally built up the courage to kiss her and then he gets interrupted.
"Well I better go," Caitlyn yawned standing up and stretching.
Mitchie stood up as well and followed her downstairs, handing Caitlyn her coat.
"Sorry for nearly kidnapping you," Mitchie said in a hushed tone, her mom just in the other room. "And sorry again," she sighed but felt Caitlyn pull her into a hug. "You're a really loyal person Mitchie, I admire that. and don't worry. You're forgiven."
"Okay, see you soon." Mitchie grinned feeling like a huge weight had been lifted off of her shoulders.
After waving goodbye to Caitlyn from the door Mitchie went into the other room. "Night Mom," she yawned stretching her arms into the air.
"Night honey. Remember, you're cleaning up tomorrow! I'm going to be gone pretty early, Houstens wedding." Connie rolled her eyes then kissed Mitchie's cheek.
Mitchie nodded brushing her hair behind her ears, "I won't forget!"
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All dressed for bed Mitchie gently shook Shane. "Hey wake up, I need to pull the covers back." She whispered as he groaned rolling over.
"Hmmm angel," he muttered peering up at her. She giggled "what?!"
Shane sat up, a slight blush tinging his cheeks. He shook his head and ruffled his unkept hair, "nothing, here," he sat up and pulled the covers down and up, waiting patienctly for Mitchie to slip inside.
Mitchie blushed and tentatively slipped in beside him. He smiled pulling the cover over her, she sniffed laying her head on the pillow, avoiding his intense gaze.
"Night Mitch," he whispered leaning over and kissing her cheek. Only millimeters from her lips. She tried to calm down her heart that was pounding against her ribcage and exhaled deeply.
"Night... Popstar" She smirked.
There was a silence and Mitchie nearly dozed off but she distinctly heard his voice in the dark. "I'm going to get you for that."
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There you have it!
I hope you like it, and please Review!
It'd be much appreciated :)
- Brooke x